Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Italicized stage directions

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   What is the status of the italicized stage directions contained within parentheses in the script?  I wouldn't consider abridging copyright laws by changing dialogue or characters, but my understanding is that the italicized stage directions within parentheses may have just been notations from an early production, are not necessarily a part of the script subject to copyright, and can be changed or disregarded.  Can anyone provide insight on this matter?  Would love to have a source that addresses this in order to read the nuances if anyone could recommend a reference work.

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23cal Walk-On Joined: 1/04/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Italicized stage directions Posted: 7/17/10 at 11:31am
	What is the status of the italicized stage directions contained within parentheses in the script? I wouldn't consider abridging copyright laws by changing dialogue or characters, but my understanding is that the italicized stage directions within parentheses may have just been notations from an early production, are not necessarily a part of the script subject to copyright, and can be changed or disregarded. Can anyone provide insight on this matter? Would love to have a source that addresses this in order to read the nuances if anyone could recommend a reference work.

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DWolfman Celebrity Joined: 7/07/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 134	Posted: 7/17/10 at 12:13pm
	An interesting read for you by Dr. Michael Devine, PHD U of Toronto: http://www.michaeldevine.org/academia/pdfs/acting/ApproachesToActingStageDirections.pdf To quote part of the last paragraph: Often, directions are added, by the playwright, by editors, by the play’s first producers, to add clarity for the reader. For the actors, all stage directions must be questioned. That’s the bottom line. Some will be kept and performed exactly as written; some will be discarded altogether; and the majority will remain as useful, changeable guides to interpretation.
	Even a man who is pure of heart...
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23cal Walk-On Joined: 1/04/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 7/18/10 at 6:54pm
	Thank you so much! That is perfect!
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JoeMc Celebrity Joined: 3/13/06 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 832	Posted: 7/18/10 at 8:40pm
	This may or may not help you? Defining the Stage Edited by JoeMc - 7/18/10 at 8:47pm
	[western] Gondawandaland "Hear the light & see the sound! TOI TOI CHOOKAS {may you always play to a full house!}
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